I Believe it Now

[Lin Rhea]

I believe you have to look back sometimes to see things you use to do to see where you may be in the future. Think about that one.

This is about knife making, by the way.

I thought it might be cool to think back on things you once did and found a better way to do that same thing. Ever THOUGHT you knew better even though an expert told you different? Then figured out the expert was right after all?

I've done it. I used to hate using files and thought I could use my machines to do what I should have used a file for. I find myself using files a lot more now and getting a better and FASTER result.

Let's hear yours. Lin

[Ray Hammond]

I think you saved me on that one too, Lin. Remember we were talking about it not too long ago, and I said as soon as I could afford them I was going to purchase some good files to work on my handles.

I can't tell you how many times, no matter how careful I am, that I have had to grind off wood scales and start over because I gouged them on my belt and as we all know you can't put it back on once you've removed it!!!

Fast isn't usually better at all.

I used to use Wal Mart quicky epoxy- not any longer. I'm very pleased with the expensive, slow setting two bottle marine stuff I use now.

[Kevin Evans]

This really rings true for me!!!
I laugh at myself sometimes,after I figure out what to do.Then I stop and think I've heard that before from a J.S or M.S..
I believe it would have been alot better to listen the first time.
I find its the little things they say are the most imporant.
Wasn't long ago I was having trouble cutting shoulders for my guards they just weren't seating up properly.Then I remember Lin saying use a "SHARP" file.Since getting new files that were sharp the fit is much easier and lots better!!!!

[Wampus]

I find it's very worthwhile to go back and read through notes taken at hammer-ins or while watching videos or reading articles.  At the time it seems like something I could never forget because it's so obvious and sensible, but I do manage to forget until I read my old notes again.  Maybe it's an age thing, but it seems I have to re-learn a lot of stuff I already knew at some point.  Luckily I still have tons of notes on knifemaking going back to 1991.

[kbaknife]

Is this about humility today, Lin?
I made stock removal knives for about 5 years before I forged my first knife.
When grinding out a stock removal knife from precision ground flat stock, it's common practice to scribe a center line - or two "railroad" lines to establish the cutting edge.
When I switched to forging, I abandoned that process and ground my blade  be eye.
Now, I will admit, it has always been a REAL challenge to keep that blade straight.
That's because, once you forge in the taper on a blade, using a center line scribe doesn't work any more.
Well, this weekend myself and four other JS makers went to a "private" little Master Smith Quillon Dagger talk/discussion/demo/etc over in Ohio, at the home of another JS and done by Master Smith Kevin Cashen.
Anyway, after he had forged the dagger and cleaned up the profile, guess what he did?
He clamped the dagger to a granite surface plate and scribed the center line based on the ricasso all the way around with a height gauge.
Then he ground the dagger according to those lines.
I was speechless.
So, as soon as I got home I ordered a height gauge.
I've now ground two blades after using the height gauge to establish my cutting edge. As well as centering the spine to file in my false edge. (ALWAYS! draw file your false edge. No mistakes that way)
Big difference.
And, it's what I learned to do in '98.
I just took one step backwards and a giant leap forwards.
It was a good week.

[Lin Rhea]

One of my tendencies is to reach for the wrong tool for the job or skip a stage.

For a long time I thought that crosshatching was not necessary, but I began to do that regularly and my blades are much flatter with no ripples, because I finally listened.

Every once in a while, I will bust myself back to the basics and make a very simple, but clean knife. I am wanting to keep my fundamental skills as sharp as possible. You cannot replace clean work with embellishment. Lin

[Kevin Evans]

OK Lin I'll bite .What is crosshatching???? ?Obvisusly can't spell it ,can't harley say it,so I am not doing it???

[kbaknife]

Kevin, I think he'll tell you that it's creating lines going one direction, and when switching to the next grit, creating lines going another direction.
This will show you exactly what you are missing or not getting completely removed.
Sometimes, when grinding, I'll wipe the blade with FeCl. This goes down into the cut lines. As the next grit progresses, you can continue to see the lines that have been etched that you haven't got out yet. Then, once all the lines are out, etch again, and go to the next grit.
All it takes is just a wipe of the blade with FeCl.

[Lin Rhea]

That's right Kevin. It's not only a way to see the dips and high spots, but as you crosshatch, it lends to correcting it. I hate ripples in a blade and to insure that they are not there, I will spend a lot of time looking. I like to, believe it or not, sit in front of my computer monitor and site down the blade sides using the light from the monitor. This is very basic to bladesmithing and flat grinding. But, you'd be surprised at those who are taught to do it, just dont and it shows in their work.

Karl, that's a good idea. I also use a sharpie to highlight places where I need to make an adjustment.

I was in my shop and having to drill a small piece of this stainless. I once damaged my finger by holding with my bare hand. Now I always keep a leather glove on my drill press. It's become a habit. This also something that I and others have been told and decided later that I should have listened. Lin

[Kevin Evans]

Thanks Lin and Karl ,haven't been doing that.I have just been putting blue dye on and going one dirrection. I will start going at different angles and keep using dye.
Acually went and looked at some of my blades and can see something that looks like a dip(on some blades) in the sunlight.

[Dan White]

Please excuse me. What type and brand of files would you recommend prior to hand polishing?

[kbaknife]

Lin, at night when I watch the news on tv I lay down on the couch and lay the blades flat and look at the reflection of the tv in the blade side.
Different way of doing the exact same thing.
I keep a small c-clamp on the drill press table edge and rest my target piece against it when I drill. It's impossible for the piece to spin, and the c-clamp is easy to relocate depending on size of the work piece. Or, if it's a small piece, I hold it with channel locks.
Those things can become instant food processors!
Always use a push stick on your band saw as well.
Thought I'd gamble with fate one day and saw the workings of the inside of two of my knuckles.
We always used to say on the job site that once a saw blade gets blood on it, it goes faster!
Then come home and do something stupid like that.
Why do we think we can be smarter than the basics?!?

[Doug Campbell]

Yep any time I'm around guys like Lin or Karl I try and keep my ears and eyes open. I don't always remember it till I've screwed something up and slap my forehead but if you pay attention something will soak in.

Some of the best advice I ever heard was from MS Bruce Bump, it was "use sandpaper like it's free". Can't tell you how many times I've said that to myself when I'm working away wasting my time with a wore out piece of sandpaper... Believe me heed that little phrase and it'll pay off in the long run.

[Lin Rhea]

Some of the best advice I ever heard was from MS Bruce Bump, it was "use sandpaper like it's free".  

Doug, That is so true. It really saves time to throw it away after it loads up. Ever caught yourself digging around in a pile of used sandpaper strips trying to get just a little more use out of one?     Lin

[Ragnarok Forge]

I jump in on the using old files and sandpaper.  I catch myself doing it all the time.  I love my grinders and often have to slow down and force myself back to filing in my bevels on blades.  Lot so screwed up knives have come from that process not being followed properly.  The guy ho trained me laugh about the variouys blades I have screwed up.

[Doug Campbell]

What's that old saying, "haste makes waste"  

[beaver#1]

i hate to say this, but i have to catch myself every step and go through my pea brain to try and remeber all the information that has been given to me.  still alway want to rush things and still have many many many many many many mess ups.  but that how we learn right?  but one thing i have learned from these guys is use the best quality tools you can fit in you budget, and ask questions when you have them.  im sure ive gotten on peoples nerves with all my questions.

[OconeeDan]

The most important thing I have learned, is to LISTEN when someone offers advise or shows you how to do a new trick.  
Believe the advise of those who have been there and done that.
And for those who haven't been there and done that, give their advise a try, as you can learn from anyone.
Dan